Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter
- 1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon crushed peppercorns
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt
Directions
In a small saucepan, gently melt the butter, over low heat, and bring to a simmer. As the butter is gently simmering, skim off the froth that accumulates on the surface of the butter. Simmer the butter for about 15 minutes, cool and ladle off the clear butterfat, leaving any milk solids in the bottom of the pan. This is clarified butter! Wow-who knew?
In a small saute pan combine the vinegar, white wine, peppercorns and shallots. Cook over medium heat until the liquid has almost all evaporated. Remove from the heat, add 1 large ice cube and let it melt. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium-sized metal bowl. Add the 3 egg yolks and whisk vigorously to combine.
Put the metal bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Whisk the eggs until fluffy, about 5 minutes. While whisking slowly drizzle in the clarified butter. Start with a couple drops at a time. If the eggs seem to be cooking too quickly, remove the saucepan from the heat. The idea of what is going on here, is that the eggs are being cooked ever so gently into a frothy, foamy deliciousness, not a scrambled curdled mess. Once all of the butter has been whisked in, add the fresh tarragon, and a pinch of cayenne. Season with kosher salt, to taste.
The sauce should be very full flavored, foamy and delightfully yellow. Serve on a big fat steak and call yourself a superstar!
















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 13 reviews
By mimiorintas
on February 01, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Oh my! I have tried bearnaise so many times. It's usually just hollandaise with tarragon. This was fabulous. Like in a very high end restaurant. I served it with filet mignon. Dipped my roasted asparagus in it and ate the rest of it with a spoon over the sink (calories don't count that way. Husband says it was restaurant quality! Anne if you ever look at these reviews - thank you so much!
By jaredcosper_115...
College Station, TX
on January 23, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I've made this sauce several times... when it gets too thick just add an ice cube.... Bearnaise nor hollandaise sauces are not easy to do well, they take a lot of practice to get the method to where you can produce the sauce each time you attempt it. Just follow Chef Anne's directions to a t each time and you will develop the technique before you know it.
By chezenvy_11965488
New Orleans, LA
on July 02, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
jesuiserin, Try thinning it out with a little warm water next time
Read all 13 reviews